Surgeons Quarter launches key worker accommodation appeal

Surgeons Quarter Travel is calling on any accommodation provider willing to provide free beds to frontline workers to get in touch to be added to its directory.

Surgeons Quarter, the commercial arm of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd), is offering its services to identify emergency accommodation for all workers in the medical profession in the UK who are working on the frontline of the health service.

The RCSEd's 129-bedroom hotel Ten Hill Place has provided more than 1,000 free overnight stays to frontline workers at Edinburgh's hospitals during the pandemic response.

Scott Mitchell, managing director at Surgeons Quarter, said: "Anything we can do to use our travel agency skills and tools to help those saving lives is a privilege. We heard horror stories of members of the College (RCSEd) – surgeons performing life-changing procedures – unceremoniously evicted from paid accommodation.

"But we also know that, just like our own hotel in the Scottish capital, there are providers out there willing to volunteer free stays near to hospitals and clinics. We are building a special directory and in regular contact with those in this position.

"As well as hearing from heroic workers we want to hear from any type of accommodation provider, be it a hotel, B&B or rental, who is willing to offer rooms, to enable us to match up as many deserving people as possible."

Workers and accommodation providers are encouraged to contact Surgeons Quarter Travel directly, on travel@surgeonsquarter.com.

Photo: Shutterstock

Hospitality sector makes 20,000 hotel beds available to key workers >>

Claridge's to provide meals and beds for NHS workers >>

Two Best Western hotels to be first turned into discharge hospitals >>